Survivor speaks at event to advocate for restrictions

LIVINGSTON — Survivors of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting are rallying for new gun legislation with politicians from the Garden State in Essex County at Temple B’nai Abraham. David Hogg, Ryan Deitsch, and Matthew Deitsch survived the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14. Hogg says the event is not meant to take away rights, but to create limitations that can save lives.

"I'm not against the Second Amendment,” Hogg said. “I believe that Americans should have the right to own a gun, but there should be limitations on it the same way we have limitations on the First Amendment. You shouldn't be able to yell fire in a crowded theater in the same way that you shouldn't be able to get an AR-15 if you are a mentally unstable individual or someone with a criminal history. I don't get what's so hard about that to understand."

The survivors have been rallying across the country for stricter gun laws after 17 of their classmates and teachers were gunned down by a former student with an AR-15. On Feb. 25, they will rally with Sen. Bob Menendez to support what some politicians call "common-sense" gun law legislation.

"I have consistently supported common sense, reasonable gun control measures. That's why I offered legislation to eliminate high capacity magazines,” said Menendez. “Why do you need an assault weapon?"

Gun safety advocates say they want to work with any politician who will listen to what they have to say, as long as they're not supported by the National Rifle Association.